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NASB | 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 4:1 But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, |
Bible Question: Thank you Robert: But if I believe all Scripture is inspired by God, then I must take 1 Tim. 4:1 for what it is worth. When Scripture says in 1 Tim. 4:1 that in the latter times some shall fall away from the faith, it does not say here that some false professors will fall away. It simply says some will depart (leave) the faith. Again I ask; how can one fall from a height which he never attained. Can I fall from a ladder without first being on the ladder? I cannot fall from a ladder I merely profess to be on. I must actually be on the ladder before I can fall from the ladder. I cannot fall upward. I must believe scripture, that there will be those who depart from the faith, and if even one could depart from the faith then others could also. |
Bible Answer: Take heart, my friend, you are accurate in your reading of scripture. The verse you quote is just one of many which clearly state that Christians can and have lost their salvation through disobedience to God. The parable of the sower does not talk about pagans, does it? No, it speaks of Christians in each instance. Similarly, the apostle Paul, personally trained by Christ, was concerned that he might himself become disqualified, even after he had preached to others. So much so, that he had to buffet his body daily to make it his slave. If Paul was concerned with losing his salvation, should not we be even more concerned? Lastly, the creme de-la-creme, the passage mainstream denominations love to avoid, Hebrews 6:4-8. Heb 6:4-8 4For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame. 7For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. NAS How can a person be enlightened; taste the heavenly gift and be a partaker of the Holy Spirit and not be considered a Christian? This is a theological exercise that is critical to the defense of all the response you've received, but will take some rather confusing and emotional arguements (and a surrender of clear, simple logic) to accept. |